Now all the Discovering Minds group needs is actors, scene builders and other volunteers to get a community players group off the ground.

"Our community has an unlimited number of talented individuals silently searching for their opportunity to é─˛shine,' but, sadly enough, most people are not fortunate (enough) to be exposed or have the resources available to show off their abilities," said Bridgett Goldman Smith - one of the organizers of the group - in a letter sent to local media Tuesday.

The group is planning a performance of Annie for Jan. 5 and 6 at New Hope Baptist Church in Thomson. Ms. Smith said she was in the Thomson High School production of Annie in the early 1990's, and fondly remembers the play.

She hopes the local effort will give both youth and adult an opportunity to get involved in the community.

"The main focus is to give these people something to do, something to bring the community out," she said in a phone interview Tuesday afternoon.

Eventually, as the group moves forward, they hope to create a theater in a downtown building, Ms. Smith said.

"There's so many places that we could use, that need to be renovated," she said.

Discovering Minds is planning a meeting to gauge public interest on Thursday, Aug. 17, at 502 Lee Street, beginning at 7 p.m. For more information, call 706-597-8939.